Wristband for holding an article

ABSTRACT

A wristband includes a body defining a chamber and having first and second ends and top and bottom surfaces, and further includes a band extending from the first and/or second ends of the body. The body has a collapsed position in which the material is folded to form a first side of the body having a first fold and the material is folded at least twice to form a second side of the body having at least second and third folds, and the body has a middle segment that includes a portion of the material between the second and third folds tucked between the top and bottom segments such that the chamber has a first configuration. The body further has an expanded position in which the middle segment is at least partially exposed such that the chamber has a second configuration different from the first configuration.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The subject application claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/462,675, filed on Feb. 23, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a wristband for holding an article.

BACKGROUND

People often engage in physical activities, such as sports, various aerobic exercises, physical labor or work, and/or the like. In some instances, a person may wish to carry one or more personal items with him/her, such as a house or car key, an identification card, money, etc. while engaged in a physical activity. Many physical activities require the use of both of the person's hands and/or the physical activities are such that the person is unable to hold a bag while engaged in an activity. Accordingly, carrying one or more personal items while the person is engaged in a physical activity is often a challenge. The present disclosure is aimed at solving the challenge identified above.

SUMMARY

A wristband for holding an article comprises a body formed from a material and defining a chamber and an opening for access to the chamber. The body has first and second ends and top and bottom segments extending between the first and second ends, and the body defines first and second planes extending between the first and second ends and transverse to the top and bottom segments. The wristband further comprises a band coupled to and extending from at least one of the first and second ends of the body. The body has a collapsed position in which the material is folded to form a first side of the body having a first fold in the first plane and the material is folded at least twice to form a second side of the body having at least second and third folds in the second plane, and the body has a middle segment that includes a portion of the material between the second and third folds tucked between the top and bottom segments of the body such that the chamber has a first configuration. The body further has an expanded position in which the middle segment of the material between the second and third folds is at least partially exposed such that the chamber has a second configuration different from the first configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings are purely illustrative and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wristband coupled to a person's wrist.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wristband including a body shown in a collapsed position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the wristband taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the wristband including the body shown in an expanded position.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the wristband taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the wristband including the body shown in an intermediate position.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the wristband taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the wristband.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the wristband.

FIG. 10 is a right side view of the wristband.

FIG. 11 is a left side view of the wristband.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the wristband.

FIG. 13 is another end view of the wristband.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, embodiments of a wristband 100 for holding an article is shown throughout the figures and described in detail below. The wristband 100 is configured to be placed, located, positioned, and/or worn on or around a person's wrist 10, as shown in FIG. 1. In alternative embodiments, the wristband 100 could be placed, located, positioned, and/or worn on or around a person's arm, ankle, leg, neck, waist, head, and/or any other portion of a person's body. In certain embodiments, the wristband 100 may be considered a garment to be worn on or around the person's wrist, ankle, leg, arm, neck, waist, head, etc.

The wristband 100 may have a position of use, such as when the wristband 100 is placed, located, positioned, and/or worn on or around the person's wrist 10 as shown in FIG. 1. The wristband 100 may be in a position of use (such as worn by the person) while the person is engaged in a physical activity or any other activity involving movement, such as during various forms of exercise including tennis, running, walking, aerobics, yoga, dancing, walking, physical training or therapy, martial arts, sports, etc. The wristband 100 may also be in a position of use when the person is engaged in a motionless activity, such as sitting, sleeping, meditating, etc. While the wristband 100 is described herein as being used by a person, it is to be appreciated that the wristband 100 could also be placed, located, positioned, and/or worn on an animal (such as around a dog's neck, around a cat's neck, etc.) or on an object (such as around a doll's waist, around the strap of a gym bag, backpack, a duffel bag, and/or the like, around or on a dog collar, etc.).

The wristband 100 may also have a position of non-use, such as when the wristband 100 is not placed, located, positioned, and/or worn on a person. When the wristband 100 is in a position of non-use, the wristband 100 is typically in a stretched-out position, as shown in FIG. 2 for example.

In an embodiment, the wristband 100 is configured to receive and hold an article 12. In another embodiment, the wristband 100 is configured to receive and hold one or more articles 12. Typically, the article(s) 12 received and held by the wristband 100 may be selected from any article that suitably fits inside a chamber 106 of the wristband 100. Additionally, the article(s) 12 may have any configuration. Non-limiting examples of articles 12 include keys, identification cards, business cards, credit cards, money (bills and/or coins), facial tissues, makeup, medications, and/or any other articles that a person wishes to carry on his/her person while the person is engaged in an activity.

Details of the wristband 100 are described below with reference to FIGS. 1-13. It is to be appreciated that the figures are not drawn to scale from one position of the body 102 of the wristband 100 to another position of the body 102 of the wristband 100. For example, the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 3 with the body 102 in a collapsed position is shown with a total length of the material forming the middle segment being much longer than the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 5 with the body 102 in an expanded position. Additionally, certain features of the wristband 100 are schematically shown in the drawings.

The wristband 100 includes a body 102 formed from a material 104. The material 104 may be a single continuous piece of material. Alternatively, the material 104 may be two or more pieces of material attached (such as sewn) together to form a continuous material. The material 104 may be a flexible, pliable, or capable of being bent without breaking, cracking, tearing, and/or the like. In an embodiment, the material 104 is a fabric, including those made from natural fibers and/or synthetic fibers. Non-limiting examples of fabrics having synthetic fibers include polyesters, acrylics, nylons, rayon, acetates, spandex, and/or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the fabric is washable. In another embodiment, the fabric is water resistant. In yet another embodiment, the fabric is stretchable.

The body 102 defines a chamber 106 for receiving the article 12 and an opening 108 for access to the chamber 106. In an embodiment, the material 104 is sewn along certain edges to form the body 102 defining the chamber 106. The chamber 106 is configured to receive and hold the article 12, such as the key shown in phantom lines in FIG. 4. As shown, the entire body 102 of the wristband 100 defines the chamber 106. In an alternative configuration, just a portion of the body 102 could define the chamber 106.

The body 102 has first 110 and second 112 ends and top 114 and bottom 116 segments extending between the first 110 and second 112 ends. The top segment 114 of the body 102 is or includes a segment of the body 102 that faces outwardly and/or away from the person's body (e.g., faces away from the person's wrist 10) when the wristband 100 is in a position of use. Typically, the top segment 114 is exposed to the environment surrounding the person. The bottom segment 116 of the body 102 is or includes a segment of the body 102 that faces inwardly and/or toward the person's body (e.g., faces toward the person's wrist 10) when the wristband 100 is in a position of use. Each of the top 114 and bottom 116 segments of the body 102 may have any suitable configuration (such as length, width, shape, etc.). Typically, the configuration of the top segment 114 is substantially the same as the configuration of the bottom segment 116. For example, both the top 114 and bottom 116 segments may have a rectangular configuration, a circular or rounded configuration, etc. Additionally, at least the top segment 114 (which is exposed to the surrounding environment) may be decorated, beaded, painted, and/or include various ornamental designs to enhance the aesthetics of the wristband 100.

The body 102 further defines first P₁ and second P₂ planes extending between the first 110 and second 112 ends and transverse to the top 114 and bottom 116 segments of the body. As shown, the first plane P₁ is transverse to the second plane P₂. In an alternative embodiment, the first plane P₁ could be substantially parallel to the second plane P₂.

As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 11-13, the body 102 has a collapsed position in which the material 104 is folded to form a first side 118 of the body 102 having a first fold 120 in the first plane P₁. The first fold 120 has a first angle a₁ when the body 102 is in the collapsed position. The first angle a₁ of the first fold 120 may be any angle that suitably enables the top segment 114 of the body 102 to be positioned over and extend substantially parallel to the bottom segment 116 of the body 102.

In an embodiment, the top segment 114 of the body 102 has a substantially flat configuration when the body 102 is in the collapsed position and the wristband 100 is in a position of non-use, as shown at least in FIGS. 2 and 3. Similarly, the bottom segment 116 has a substantially flat configuration when the body 102 is in the collapsed position and the wristband 100 is in a position of non-use. In an embodiment, each of the top 114 and bottom 116 segments defines a center axis A_(T), A_(B) extending between the first 110 and second 112 ends of the body 102 with the center axis A_(T) of the top segment 114 being substantially parallel to the center axis A_(B) of the bottom segment 116 when the body 102 is in the collapsed position. This is best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

As the body 102 is formed from the material 104 that is flexible, the body 102 typically wraps or curves around the person's wrist 10 when the wristband 100 is in a position of use. Accordingly, the top segment 114 of the body 102 has a rounded configuration (typically conforming to the curvature of the person's wrist 10) when the body 102 is in the collapsed position and the wristband 100 is in a position of use, as shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, the bottom segment 116 has a rounded configuration (typically conforming to the curvature of the person's wrist 10) when the body 102 is in the collapsed position and the wristband 100 is in a position of use.

As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 10, 12, and 13, in the collapsed position, the material 104 of the body 102 is folded at least twice to form a second side 122 of the body 102 having at least second 124 and third 126 folds in the second plane P₂. In an embodiment, the body 102 has just the second 124 and third 126 folds. In alternative embodiments, the body 102 could have more than the first 124 and second 126 folds forming the second side 122. For example, the body 102 could have three, four, or more folds in the second plane P₂ forming the second side 122 of the body 102.

As best shown in FIG. 3, in the collapsed position, the body 102 further has a middle segment 128 that includes a portion of the material 104 between the second 124 and third 126 folds tucked between the top 114 and bottom 116 segments of the body 102 such that the chamber 106 has a first configuration. As shown, the middle segment 128 tucked between the top 114 and bottom 116 segments defines first 130 and second 132 sections of the chamber 106. In an embodiment, a generally small and/or flat article 12 could be received and held in the first section 130 of the chamber 106 with the body 102 remaining in the collapsed position.

In an embodiment, the body 102 defines a third plane P₃ extending between the first 110 and second 112 ends and transverse to the top 114 and bottom 116 segments. In the illustrated embodiment, the third plane P₃ is offset from and substantially parallel to the first plane P₁, and the third plane P₃ is transverse to the second plane P₂. In an alternative configuration, the third plane P₃ could be transverse to both the first P₁ and second P₂ planes, or the third plane P₃ could be parallel to both the first P₁ and second P₂ planes. The middle segment 128 of the body 102 tucked between the top 114 and bottom 116 segments is folded to form a fourth fold 134 in the third plane P₃ to form first 136 and second 138 portions of the middle segment 128. The fourth fold 134 has a first angle b₁ when the body 102 is in the collapsed position. The first angle b₁ of the fourth fold 134 may be any angle that suitably enables the first 136 and second 138 portions of the middle segment 128 to be parallel to one another when tucked between the top 114 and bottom 116 segments when the body 102 is in the collapsed position. In addition, the first angle b₁ may be any angle that enables the first portion 136 of the middle segment 128 to be located over the second portion 138 of the middle segment 128.

It is to be appreciated that when the body 102 is placed into the collapsed position (such as from the expanded position described in detail below), the middle segment 128 tucked between the top 114 and bottom 116 segments could fold more than once to form a plurality of fourth folds to form a plurality of portions of the middle segment 128. In this scenario, the plurality of fourth folds would form a plurality of third planes that are different from one another and may be transverse or parallel to one another, the first plane P₁, and/or the second plane P₂. Typically, in the collapsed position, the plurality of portions of the middle segment 128 are substantially parallel to one another.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the body 102 of the wristband also has an expanded position in which the middle segment 128 of the material 104 between the second 124 and third 126 folds is at least partially exposed such that the chamber 106 has a second configuration different from the first configuration. In an embodiment, the expanded position of the body 102 may, for example, be a fully expanded position where the entire middle segment 128 is exposed (e.g., not tucked between the top 114 and bottom 116 segments). As best shown in FIG. 5, the first 130 and second 132 sections of the chamber 106 when the body 102 is in the collapsed position merge to form a single open space when the body 102 is in the expanded position. In the expanded position, the body 102 is capable of holding an article and/or a plurality of articles, such as a stack of facial tissues, one or more makeup items (such as lipstick, blush, etc.), hand cream, one or more keys, etc.

The first fold 120 forming the first side 118 of the body 102 in the first plane P₁ has a second angle a₂ when the body 102 is in the expanded position. The second angle a₂ of the first fold 120 (when the body 102 is in the expanded position) is larger than the first angle a₁ of the first fold 120 (when the body 102 is in the collapsed position). In an embodiment, the fourth fold 134 typically disappears when the body 102 is in expanded position. In this embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first portion 136 of the middle segment 128 are positioned adjacent to (and not over) the second portion 138 of the middle segment 128. Both of the first 136 and second 138 portions of the middle segment 128 are transverse to the top 114 and bottom 116 segments and become part of the second side 122 when the body is in the expanded position.

In an embodiment, the top segment 114 of the body 102 has a rounded configuration when the body 102 is in the expanded position regardless of whether the wristband 100 is in a position of use or non-use. The rounded configuration of the top segment 114 when the body 102 is in the expanded position and the wristband 100 is in a position of non-use is shown in FIG. 4. Similarly, the bottom segment 116 has rounded configuration when the body 102 is in the expanded position. However, the rounded configuration of the bottom segment 116 may be convex when the wristband 100 is in a position of non-use (as the curvature of the person's wrist 10 does not matter). The rounded configuration of the bottom segment 116 may be concave when the wristband 100 is in a position of use (to conform to the curvature of the person's wrist 10).

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the body 102 of the wristband 100 further has an intermediate position in which the middle segment 128 between the second 124 and third 126 folds is tucked between the top 114 and bottom 116 segments of the body 102 with the fourth fold 134 located between the second P₂ and third P₃ planes and the first portion 136 of the middle segment 128 is transverse to the second portion 138 of the middle segment 128. In another embodiment, the wristband 100 passes through has a plurality of intermediate positions from the collapsed position to the expanded position, in which the middle segment 128 is tucked between the top 114 and bottom 116 segments of the body 102 with the fourth fold 134 moving closer to the second side 122 of the body 102 and the angle of the fourth fold 134 increasing as the chamber 106 enlarges. The wristband 100 may remain in the intermediate position (or one of the intermediate positions) when holding articles typically smaller than articles held by the wristband 100 when the body 102 is in the expanded position, and does not require or take up the entire volume of the chamber 106.

As previously mentioned, the body 102 defines the opening 108 that provides access to the chamber 106. The opening 108 is defined in the top segment 114 of the body 102. It is to be appreciated that the opening 108 may be defined anywhere in the top segment 114 of the body 102 and the opening 108 may have any suitable configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 108 is defined in the top segment 114 and extends at least partially between the first 110 and second 112 ends of the body 102. In an alternative embodiment, the opening 108 can be defined in the top segment 114 and extend at least partially between the first 118 and second 122 sides of the body 102. In other alternative embodiments, the opening 108 can be defined in the top segment 114 and extend in any diagonal direction.

The wristband 100 further comprises a closure member 140 attached to the material 104 of the body 102 and configured to at least partially close the opening 108. In an embodiment, the closure member 140 is further defined as a zipper 140, with the zipper 140 attached to the material 104 of the body 102 and configured to at least partially close the opening 102. The zipper 140 has two strips 142 with interlocking projections 144 and a slide 146 coupled to the strips 142 and configured to open and close the interlocking projections 144. The slide 146 may have a head 148, which may be loose as shown in the figures. Alternatively, the slide 146 can have a snap-back head and/or auto-locking feature for locking the head 148 of the slide 146 against the body 102. It is to be appreciated that the opening 108 may be closed utilizing any suitable closure member or combinations of closure members. For example, the closure member 140 could otherwise be a hook-and-loop closure, such as Velcro®, one or more buttons, one or more snaps, and/or the like, and/or combinations thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 1-13, the wristband 100 further comprises a band 150 coupled to and extending from at least one of the first 110 and second 112 ends of the body 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the band 150 is coupled to the first end 110 of the body 102. Alternatively, the band 150 could be coupled to the second end 112 of the body 102. The band 150 may have any size (including any length and/or width), and may have any desirable configuration. Additionally, the band 150 may be formed from any suitable material, such as a fabric including those made from natural fibers and/or synthetic fibers. Non-limiting examples of fabrics having synthetic fibers include polyesters, acrylics, nylons, rayon, acetates, spandex, and/or combinations thereof. The band 150 could be formed from one or more other materials, such as silicone, vinyl, leather, etc. In an embodiment, the band 150 includes a flexible support, and a flexible material is disposed over (such as wrapped around) the flexible support. Additionally, the band 150 may be formed from or include the same material as the body 102, or may be formed from or include a material that is different from the body 102.

The band 150 has first 152 and second 154 ends and upper 156 and lower 158 sides extending between the ends 152, 154. In the embodiment shown, the first end 152 of the band 150 is coupled to the first end 110 of the body 102. The band 150 further has a hook-and-loop fastening system 160 (such as Velcro®) attached to the upper side 156. As shown at least in FIGS. 8-11, the hook-and-loop fastening system 160 has a loop portion 162 attached to the upper side 156 proximate the first end 152, and a hook portion 164 attached to the upper side 156 proximate the second end 154. In an alternative embodiment, the band 150 could have any other suitable fastening fastening system, such as snaps, buttons, and/or the like.

The wristband 100 further has a fastening member 166 coupled to the second end 112 of the body 102 and configured to receive at least the second end 154 of the band 150 for securing the wristband 100 on the person's wrist 10. In an embodiment, the fastening member 166 is further defined as a ring 166, such as a metal or plastic ring, coupled to the second end 112 of the body 102. The ring 166 may be coupled to the second end 112 of the body 102 utilizing a piece of material, such as a folded piece of fabric 168 with ends of the fabric 168 attached (such as sewn) to the material 104 of the body 102. The ring 166 is disposed in the loop created by the folded piece of fabric 168 to couple the ring 166 to the second end 112 of the body 102.

The wristband 100 may be used by placing the wristband 100 over the person's wrist 10, feeding the band 150 partially through the ring 166 coupled to the second end 112 of the body 102, and mating the loop 162 and hook 164 portions of the hook-and-loop fastening system 160 to secure the wristband 100 on the person's wrist 10.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. It is now apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A wristband for holding an article, said wristband comprising: a body formed from a material and defining a chamber for receiving the article and an opening for access to said chamber with said body having first and second ends and top and bottom segments extending between said first and second ends, and said body defining first and second planes extending between said first and second ends and transverse to said top and bottom segments; and a band coupled to and extending from at least one of said first and second ends of said body; wherein said body has a collapsed position in which said material is folded to form a first side of said body having a first fold in said first plane and said material is folded at least twice to form a second side of said body having at least second and third folds in said second plane, and said body having a middle segment that includes a portion of the material between said second and third folds tucked between said top and bottom segments of said body such that said chamber has a first configuration, and wherein said body has an expanded position in which said middle segment of said material between said second and third folds is at least partially exposed such that said chamber has a second configuration different from said first configuration.
 2. The wristband as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first plane is transverse to said second plane.
 3. The wristband as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first fold has a first angle when said body is in said collapsed position and has a second angle when said body is in said expanded position with said second angle larger than said first angle.
 4. The wristband as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said top and bottom segments defines a center axis extending between said first and second ends of said body with said center axis of said top segment being substantially parallel to said center axis of said bottom segment when said body is in said collapsed position.
 5. The wristband as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body defines a third plane extending between said first and second ends and transverse to said top and bottom segments and said middle segment of said body tucked between said top and bottom segments being folded to form a fourth fold in said third plane to form first and second portions of said middle segment with said first and second portions substantially parallel to one another when said body is in said collapsed position.
 6. The wristband as set forth in claim 5 wherein said body has an intermediate position in which said middle segment between said second and third folds is tucked between said top and bottom segments of said body with said fourth fold located between said second and third planes and said first portion transverse to said second portion.
 7. The wristband as set forth in claim 5 wherein said third plane is offset from and substantially parallel to said first plane, and said third plane is transverse to said second plane.
 8. The wristband as set forth in claim 5 wherein said middle segment tucked between said top and bottom segments defines first and second sections of said chamber when said body is in said collapsed position.
 9. The wristband as set forth in claim 1 wherein said top segment of said body has a substantially flat configuration when said body is in said collapsed position and said wristband is in a position of non-use.
 10. The wristband as set forth in claim 1 wherein said top segment of said body has a rounded configuration when said body is in said collapsed position and said wristband is in a position of use.
 11. The wristband as set forth in claim 1 wherein said top segment of said body has a rounded configuration when said body is in said expanded position.
 12. The wristband as set forth in claim 1 wherein said opening is defined in said top segment of said body.
 13. The wristband as set forth in claim 1 wherein said opening is defined in said top segment of said body and extends at least partially between said first and second ends of said body.
 14. The wristband as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a closure member attached to said material of said body and configured to at least partially close said opening.
 15. The wristband as set forth in claim 14 wherein said closure member is further defined as a zipper, with said zipper attached to said material of said body and configured to at least partially close said opening.
 16. The wristband as set forth in claim 1 wherein said band is coupled to said first end of said body with said band having first and second sides and a hook-and-loop fastening system attached to said first side.
 17. The wristband as set forth in claim 16 wherein said wristband is adapted to be worn on a person and said band has first and second ends with said first end of said band coupled to said first end of said body and further comprising a fastening member coupled to said second end of said body and configured to receive at least said second end of said band for securing said wristband on the person. 